Real Madrid are set to complete the signing of Portugal centre-back Ricardo Carvalho from Chelsea.
The Spanish outfit have agreed a £6.7m fee to sign the 32-year-old, who will be reunited with former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho.
“Chelsea can confirm it has agreed terms with Real Madrid for the transfer of Carvalho,” said a club statement.
“The transfer is subject to a medical and the player agreeing personal terms. Chelsea would like to thank Riccy for his six years of service, and we wish him well in his future career.”
Carvalho, who was also with Mourinho at Porto, joined Chelsea in 2004 for £19.8m and won the league three times. He made 210 appearances for the Stamford Bridge outfit and departs with the club’s blessing.
He becomes Real’s fifth signing of the summer, following Portugal’s Angel di Maria, Spanish duo Pedro Leon and Sergio Canales and Sami Khedira.
A statement on the Spanish club’s website began: “Best known for his perfect positioning, his foresight and his ability to advance the ball out of the first third, Ricardo Alberto Silveira Carvalho joins Real Madrid at the age of 32 and with 19 titles to speak of.”
Last month, Carvalho told a Spanish newspaper it would be a dream come true to join Mourinho at the Bernabeu.
“If there was a possibility to sign with Real Madrid, I would go there right now swimming or running,” he said.
“It would be a dream to be able to play for Madrid, which I consider to be the best club in the world, and follow the orders of the best coach in the history of football.
“With Mourinho I experienced two marvellous stages at Porto and Chelsea. To have the opportunity to win another Champions League with him at Real Madrid would be tremendous.”
